Indonesia: Medan military plane crash 'kills more than 110 people'

At least 30 people were killed when an Indonesian military transport plane crashed into a suburb of MedanMichelle Clairine Halim via Facebook

An Indonesian air force plane has crashed in North Sumatra killing at least 113 people on 30 June, according to military officials.

The Hercules C-130, a military transport plane, crashed into houses and exploded in a ball of flames after take-off in the city of Medan.

Indonesian police and soldiers rushed to secure the crash site of the Hercules plane. Five bodies have been recovered so far - but authorities warned the death toll might be higher.

Hisar Turnip, a Search and Rescue spokesperson, told reporters: "The latest information we have is that 30 have died... The number could go up".

The plane with 12 crew aboard hit a residential neighbourhood in Medan, Indonesia's third largest city.

"I saw the plane from the direction of the airport and it was tilting already, then I saw smoke billowing," local resident Januar, 26, told AFP, giving only his first name.

Pictures on social media showed crowds and emergency services gathering around the wreckage.

Air force spokesman Dwi Badarmanto said the crash occurred during a planned flight from a Medan air force base to the Natuna islands, not long before midday in Indonesia.

It is the second time in 10 years that a plane has crashed into a Medan neighbourhood, according to AP. In September 2005, a Mandala Airlines Boeing 737 crashed after take off from Medan's Polonia airport, killing 143 people.